[English]:
To begin our series of reports on atypical gallery models, we went to meet Beatrice Masi, founder of this "gallery without space".
Gallery owner at 23
It's been almost a year since Beatrice Masi launched her gallery, at the age of 23, with a handicap: she doesn't come from the art world.
So where did you find collectors, I ask her? "I still had a personal network, people who are not into art but want to start collecting. And then the artists also have their fanclub that they bring to the exhibitions."
What defines a gallery?
"I asked myself that question when I started. In fact, the gallery owner is like an agent, he promotes and accompanies his artists, with the added necessity of exhibiting their work. But this activity does not require a permanent place. Moreover, the absence of a fixed space allows to free oneself from certain constraints and from the boredom of staying stuck in one's gallery: "it was a repulsor for me, when I was studying art history".
But not having a place imposes a constant effort of visibility. Beatrice has understood this, hyperactive, she has just finished an exhibition on rue Saint Claude, she is already preparing two art fairs, a horticultural show and a commission for the Villa d'Eaux: silk hangings by Noémie Lacroix to decorate the patio of this charming hotel in Villers-sur-mer. "She is an artist whose work can be adapted to the worlds of fashion and decoration, look! She takes out a stole of extreme refinement from her bag. With its 9 artists represented, the Spaceless Gallery is not afraid to cross the boundaries between disciplines. "It's a gallery with no physical or mental boundaries, I'm not afraid to go to craft, or partner with brands."
A boundless gallery in addition to being spaceless.
To illustrate this, she gave us an appointment at the home of a florist - and not the least - Stéphane Chapelle, where she installed several pieces by Hugh Findletar. When this artist lived in Venice in 2008, he discovered Murano glass and decided to use this material. He partnered with glassblower Oscar Zanetti to create several works, including these large vases with female effigies. "They all have a name and a personality," Beatrice tells me. "Let me introduce you to Miss Rosita. Miss Rosita is obviously a great lady, very elegant, whose details are made of glass paste mixed with gold, silver or copper threads. I meet then the sulky mine of "Miss Camille", of a yellow almost fluo and with the blue hair, "she is rather punk" confides me Beatrice.
At the frontier between design and contemporary art, Beatrice assumes an uncomplicated vision of the art market: "conceptual art that nobody understands does not interest me". Even if it means switching to the decorative arts? "Yes, I assume my quest for beauty, it is an essential criterion in the choice of artists. There is also the know-how that the artist masters, which gives value and meaning to his work.
The young gallery owner is delighted to be able to exhibit in this kind of atypical place, a freedom that finally allows the absence of a permanent place. A gallery without space but not without talent.